Krutaja Babulka

Month: February 2012

  • “I did not Portray People. I did not Tell Stories, They’re Just Images, Only Images.” Janouch’s report of Kafka’s Comment on His Prose-Piece “The Stoker”, (“Franz Kafka and Praque”, 2005, Slovart Publishing Ltd.)

    Franz Kafka and Prague (book cover)Idea, selection of quotations and photo graphics for the book: Karol Kallay, Forward: Eduard Goldstucker.

    In front of us is the book “Franz Kafka and Prague”, a piece of art introducing Kafka’s words: “I write differently to how I speak and I speak differently to how I think, and so it continues, right to the deepest darkness.” (Letters to Ottla and Family).

    And the other his words: “I did not portray people. I did not tell stories, they’re just images, only images.”

    With these statements it is explained the creative personality of Kafka. And it is understandable.

    Franz Kafka was born and lies buried in Prague. It was his home for virtually his whole lifespan; only a few months brfore his death did he, after years of hesitation, make up his mind to leave it.

    Prague bore the specific character. At Kafka’s time Prague became the  capital of the newly created Czechoslovak Republic. But even the pre-1918 Prague was much more than simply a provincial city. It was the capital of the Kingdom Bohemia, one of the historical constituents of Austria-Hungary, and the metropolis of that empire’s economically most developed nation, whose national emancipation had just attained its highest phase.

    Watch the photo gallery “Franz Kafka and Prague”:

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    I, personally, can relate to Prague. While back long ago, visiting its mysterious old town streets, Alchemists and such, full of strange bunch of people around, odd feelings came under the skin:”something could happen here, at this spot right now, and one need to run away as soon as possible”.

    Why arose such feelings?

    I did not know. And I do not know now. Then I was not familiar with Kafka’s works. My virtu was not refined yet, perhaps.

    Now I am. I can grasp his thoughts through the background and the environment of the city.

    I disagree with the explanation of the historic events via the complicated, precarious coexistence of the city’s three ethnic-religious components: the Czechs, the Germans and the Jews.

    There is more than this to it. Kafka’s world is richer than entanglement to one of the groups. His world is going beyond. Images, images, images…

    Physically he lived in Prague that looked then as back at more than thousand years of recorded history.

    Reading the quotations, thorughly selected by Karol Kallay and watching his photos of Prague, one’s thoughts were stretching to the memories of the past, minus present and without the future.

    All together, the book helps a thinking person to connect to the unusual, creative world of Franz Kafka.

    Listen:Phillip Glass:”Metamorphosis Two”, from piano cycle “Metamorphosis” (story by Franz Kafka) played by Phillip Sear

  • Magic of Candlelight

    Light of memory.

    A candle is a living thing as are the memories which are evoked by its gentle light.

    Watch photo gallery “Magic of Candlelight”:

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    The shimmering of its glow gives us a sense of peace which enables us to reflect on the life of Gennadiy who has passed from us. By these moments of reflection and remembering the joyful times, our discussions, our celebrations together as well as the laughter, the pain and the hope. This was Gennadiy’s life. The candle speaks to us of a soul’s spark which is above, below, within and without. This brings us, all of us, Gennadiy who is gone physically from us, and us, who are left here, always together.

    As it is spoken in the Orthodox liturgy, come onto the blessed reward that is prepared for you among the Saints where there is no more any pain or suffering, hunger or worries. Welcome home, dear Gennadiy.

    “Weep no more”, sings Xenia Lapitskaya

  • BADEK NEWS 49

    Diversity of peopleOne. Russia said Wednesday it had pierced through Antarctica’s frozen crust to a vast, subglacial lake that has lain untouched for at least 14 million years hiding what scientists believe may be unknown organisms and clues to life on other planets.

    Sealed deep under the ice sheet, Lake Vostok is one of the world’s last unexplored frontiers. Scientists suspect its depths may reveal new life forms and a glimpse of the planet before the ice age.

    Two. The signs Canada’s population was shifting west were evident long before Statistics canada released its 2011 census, and most of them read: Help Wanted.

    Almost one-third of Canada’s 33,5 million citizens now live west of Ontario as a result of the shift in population that has largely been driven by job opportunities in the natural resource sector, particularly the oil and gas industry. With 10 million people, Western Canada has a bigger population than Quebec, the Maritimes, and Newfoundland and Labrador combined.

    Three. There was a lot of public policy thinking taking place Wednesday at the University of Calgary’s downtown campus. There was conducted the research to support the development of policy demanded by the growing role of information and communications technology (ICT) in the Canadian economy. One avenue to foster innovation -and boost productivity-is through the use of ICT.

    Four.The reported increase in passenger traffic at the Calgary International Airport, which saw more than 12,8 million people travelling through YYC last year, is great news for the economy of this city. But just as impressive is the huge effect that its cargo and logistics development is having with the world’s freight handling companies.

    The stunning growth of that business, which is the envy of other Canadian airports, is best illustrated by the landings at least twice each week of a new Cargolux Boeing 747-8 aircraft to ferry feright non-stop to the company’s world hub in Luxembourg.

    Five. Earnings fell by close to a third at Indigo Books & Music Inc. as the retailer marked down print versions of its books and sold more e-readers in the third quarter, the chain reported Wednesday. The Toronto-based retailer is also on the hunt for a new president after Ted Marlow returned to Urban Outfitters Inc. to become its chief executive.

    Source of Info: “Calgary Herald”, Thursday, February 9, 2012.

  • Prayer of a Sister

    For Gennadiy Who was There Recently.    Listen to:Bulat Okujava, Prayer 2012

    Lord of all Things, whose wondrous gifts for man

    Include the shining symbols known as words,

    Grant that I may use their mighty power

    Only for good. Help me to pass on

    Small fragments of Your Wisdom, truth and love,

    Teach me to touch the unseen, lonely heart

    With smile, or the quick release of tears,                                                                                                                                                        Candle4

    Let me portray the courage that endures

    Defiance in the face of pain and death;

    The kindness and the gentleness of those

    Who fight against the anger of the world;

    The beauty that hidden in the smallest things;

    The mystery, the wonder of it all…

    Open my ears, my eyes; unlock my heart.

    Speak through me, Lord, if it be Your will. Amen.

    Somebody once wrote: “There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of one small candle…” And it is true. Listen to: Rosenbaum, Forgive, my Brother

    I have always remembered those words, not so much for their poetry and imagery as for the truth they contain. In moments of discouragement, defeat or even despair, there are always certain things to cling to. Little things, usually remembered smile, the face of a sleeping child, a tree in the wind. In fact, any reminder of something deeply felt or dearly loved.

    Watch candle gallery:

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    No one is so poor as not to have one or many of these small candles. When they are lighted, darkness goes away…

    And a touch of wonder begins.

    On March 7th of this year when by Orthodox tradition 40-days remembrance will be held I am asking everyone if you so desire to light a small candle for Gennadiy. And let me know via replying this article.

    As for myself, I promise it will be the start of my new book “Prayer of a Sister”.

    Listen:Tamara Sinyavskaya, “The Earth became Empty without You”

  • I Remember Hands of Yours, Gentle and Always Busy with Work, Never Tiring, Hands of a Jack of All Trades, My Beloved Brother.

    IMG_0183“Gennadiy Nikolaevich, can you help me to fix this piece of furniture?” used to address him his colleagues.

    “Sure. No problem.” he answered back and hurried up to help.

    Graduated from the Bryansk Technological University with Master of Engineering Degrees in 1966, all life he worked hard: first, as a chief engineer, then as a mechanic and at different positions, but always with the passion for work and care for people. Honesty, integrity and loyalty to the family were those the main traits of Gennadiy’s character.

    Look at his hands, carrying a tiny bird having fallen out of the nest, how gentle they are as if embracing the whole sea of love and transferring it to our younger brothers and sisters, those flying fowls.

    The other time he was holding the dog as though nursing a loving baby in his hands.

    Sincere, strong, reliable hands of Gennadiy are unforgettable, there was a particular touch in them that is what is called “down to earth love and care”.

    His sons Danil and Denis and their families, his niece and her son in St. Petersburg and his niece and her family in Bryansk, his sister and Janko as well as those who knew him personally will never forget him.

    Watch our photo expose “GENNADIY REMEMBERED”:

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    I remember your hands, brother, when we were little, maybe, we did not go to school yet or at Grade 1, so you involved me in a hobby group to learn how to make with a fretsaw the pieces out of wooden plywood, then applying vanish on them as finish-up. Afterwards those our childish “masterpieces” were supposed to go to the neighbors or acquaintances  to decorate their domestic life.

    How industrious you were, my little devil-brother! You managed then even to sell one or two wooden home made shelves or boxes for pencils, pens… Our teacher was Alexey Petrovich. That was perhaps who you inherited your tremendous love for wood and wooden products from.

    You possessed a very charming soul build-up: never offending anybody, always ready to help, to protect  the weaker  gen9person.

    Finished as usual his 5-days’ work week, on Saturday on his way home, he died from heart attack just 10 days after celebrating his 70-th anniversary.

    On Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 12-30 p. m. Gennadiy Nikolaevich Filin will be buried at St. Petersburg Serafimovsky Cemetery,

    Russia. Eternal memory to you, my beloved brother.

    I know our mama loved you so much , she had died with your name on her lips and she would be glad to meet you now in the heavens. God bless you!

    I remember hands of yours, gentle and always busy with work, never tiring hands of a Jack of all trades, intelligent and very tidy, Gennadiy.

    Listen to: Sergey Trofimov, Guardian Angel